Hagiwara Lowers Japanese Mark in 100m Free (Short Course)

By Takahisa Ide and Hideki Mochizuki

SAGAMIHARA, Japan, March 17. TOMOKO Hagiwara continued her impressive comeback by lowering the Japanese national record for 100 meters freestyle (short course) for the second time in less than a month.

Swimming at a regional collegiate meet in Kanagawa on March 14, Hagiwara stroked a swift 53.95 seconds for the four-lap sprint. The time broke her own mark of 54.33 set on February 22.

After her race, Hagiwara commented: “I was concerned about how well I have been training, but today's result was certainly encouraging for the Olympic selection meet next month.”

On the men’s side Ryo Takayasu swam 51.03 to set a Japanese record in the 100 fly.